CHAPTER 8HEAVY CONSTRUCTIONLEARNING OBJECTIVE: You will be able to describe the procedures for erectingheavy timber bridges, shoring, pile construction, waterfront structures, timberfasteners and connectors, and steel frame structures. Identify the different types ofpile-driving equipment, types of piles, and understand the many safety hazardsassociated with pile driving.As a Builder, you may perform various constructionoperations involving heavy structures. This chapterdescribes equipment, terminology, methods, andtechniques of heavy construction. Since heavyconstruction is hazardous work, the use of safe workingpractices at all times can prevent injuries to personneland damage to equipment. This chapter explains themethods of constructing heavy timber structures andwaterfront structures in terms of contingency operationsvice commercial or industrial construction.As a general rule, the term heavy construction refersto the type of construction in which large bulks ofmaterials (over 5 inches thick) and extra-heavy struc-tural members are used, such as steel, timber, concrete,or a combination of these materials. In the NavalConstruction Force (NCF), heavy construction includesthe construction of bridges, shoring operations,waterfront structures, and steel frame structures.BRIDGE CONSTRUCTIONA bridge is a structure used to carry traffic over adepression or an obstacle, and it generally consists oftwo principal parts as follows: the lower part, orSUBSTRUCTURE and the upper part, orSUPERSTRUCTURE. When a bridge is supportedonly at its two end supports, or abutments, it is called asingle-span bridge. A bridge with one or moreintermediate supports, as shown in figure 8-1, is knownFigure 8-1.A multispan (trestle-bent) bridge.8-1